The effect of an after school physical activity program on children's cognitive, social, and emotional health during the COVID-19 pandemic

Oral Presentation C8.2

Authors

  • Hilary Caldwell Dalhousie University
  • Matthew B. Miller Dalhousie University
  • Constance Tweedie Dalhousie University
  • Jeffery B. L Zahavich Dalhousie University
  • Ella Cockett Dalhousie University
  • Laurene Rehman Dalhousie University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.686

Keywords:

Physical Activity, PROMIS, Children, COVID-19 Pandemic, Public Health

Abstract

Background: Children’s physical activity participation declined during the COVID-19 pandemic and these changes could lead to longer-term impacts on children's cognitive, social, and emotional health. Purpose: To determine parents’ perceptions of cognitive function, peer and family relationships, life satisfaction, physical activity, affect, and global health, among their children who participated in the Build Our Kids’ Success (BOKS) after school physical activity program from October to December 2020. Methods: Parents of children participating in the BOKS program at elementary schools in Nova Scotia, Canada were recruited. At baseline, 159 parents completed the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Patient-Reported Outcomes Measures Information System (PROMIS) Parent Proxy questionnaire, and 75 parents completed the measures at follow-up. Independent t-tests were used to determine if there were differences between pre and post Parent Proxy Questionnaire data. Results: All NIH PROMIS outcome variables at baseline and follow-up were within normal limits (Adjusted T-Scores: 46.67±7.15 to 50.04±7.13). There were no significant differences in life satisfaction (t(188) = -1.05,  p=.30), family relationships (t(189) = 0.31,  p=.76), cognitive function (t(199) = -1.16,  p=.25), peer relationships (t(192) = -1.86,  p=.06), positive affect (t(195) = 0.25,  p=.81), or global health (t(216) = -0.43, p=.67) from baseline to follow-up. Conclusions: Parent Proxy questionnaires suggested that the BOKS program had a protective effect on children’s cognitive, social and emotional health during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding: The Public Health Agency of Canada in partnership with Reebok Canada Fitness Foundation.

Published

2021-09-30

How to Cite

Caldwell, H., Miller, M., Tweedie, C., Zahavich, J., Cockett, E., & Rehman, L. (2021). The effect of an after school physical activity program on children’s cognitive, social, and emotional health during the COVID-19 pandemic: Oral Presentation C8.2. The Health & Fitness Journal of Canada, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.686